The Promise of Peace: Jesus, Our Prince of Peace
Theme: Jesus brings peace to a restless and troubled world.
Key Verse: “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:14, NLT)
Introduction
Advent is a season of expectation and hope. Last week, we focused on the promise of hope. This week, we turn our attention to peace—the peace we all long for in a world marked by conflict, anxiety, and division.
Today, we will explore how Jesus, the Prince of Peace, fulfills the promise of peace. Through Micah 5:2-5a and Luke 2:8-14, we will see three key truths:
The Peace Giver – Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was born in Bethlehem.
The Peace Experienced – The shepherds’ encounter with the angels.
The Peace Shared – How we can live as peacemakers in a divided world.
As we journey through these truths, I pray that you will find both comfort and challenge. Let’s begin.
1. The Peace Giver – Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was born in Bethlehem
Micah 5:2-5a foretells: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf... And he will be the source of peace.” (Micah 5:2, 5a, NLT)
Micah prophesied during a time of turmoil and uncertainty for Israel. The Assyrian empire threatened their existence, yet God promised a deliverer from Bethlehem, a small and seemingly insignificant town.
The Hebrew word for peace here is shalom, which conveys much more than the absence of conflict. It refers to wholeness, completeness, and harmony with God and others.
Micah’s prophecy points to Jesus, whose birth in Bethlehem fulfilled this promise. Matthew 2:6 confirms this connection: “And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.” (NLT)
Jesus, our shalom, reconciles us to God through His sacrifice. Romans 5:1 reminds us: “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” (NLT)
No matter how small or insignificant we feel, God uses unlikely people and places to fulfill His purposes—just as He used Bethlehem.
Consider the story of Edward Kimball, a Sunday School teacher who shared the gospel with a young man named Dwight L. Moody. Moody went on to become one of the greatest evangelists in history. God often uses small beginnings to achieve great things.
Pastor Charles Stanley once said, “God’s peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of His power.”
2. The Peace Experienced – The Shepherds’ Encounter with the Angels
Luke 2:8-14 tells us: “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them... ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem... Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” (Luke 2:8-11, 14, NLT)
Shepherds were considered lowly and unimportant, yet God chose them to hear the announcement of the Messiah’s birth. This reflects the inclusivity of the gospel—God’s peace is available to all.
The angel declared eirene in Greek, the New Testament equivalent of shalom. It is a peace rooted in reconciliation with God through Christ.
God’s peace is personal. Just as the shepherds received this message in the quiet of the fields, we, too, can experience His peace in the quiet moments of our lives.
God’s peace drives out fear. The angel’s first words, “Don’t be afraid,” remind us that God’s peace overcomes anxiety and fear. Philippians 4:7 assures us: “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (NLT)
Imagine the calm after a storm. The chaos subsides, and a profound stillness settles. That is the peace Jesus offers—not an absence of life’s storms, but His calming presence within them.
Max Lucado writes, “The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. His peace guards your heart.”
3. The Peace Shared – How We Can Live as Peacemakers in a Divided World
Jesus said in Matthew 5:9: “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (NLT)
The Greek word for “work for peace” is eirenopoios, meaning “peacemakers.” It signifies an active role in fostering peace in relationships, communities, and the world.
Luke 2:14 reminds us that peace on earth is tied to those “with whom God is pleased.” As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His peace to a restless world.
Be reconciled to others. Colossians 3:13 encourages us: “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (NLT)
Promote peace in your community. James 3:18 teaches: “And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” (NLT)
Think of a stone thrown into a pond. The ripples extend far beyond the point of impact. When we act as peacemakers, our actions ripple out, influencing others in ways we may never fully see.
Rick Warren says, “When you work for peace, you are doing what God would do. You are bringing people together instead of tearing them apart.”
Conclusion and Call to Action:
Church, Jesus is the fulfilment of the promise of peace:
The Peace Giver—Jesus, born in Bethlehem, brings reconciliation and wholeness.
The Peace Experienced—The shepherds show us that God’s peace is personal and fear-dispelling.
The Peace Shared—We are called to be peacemakers, reflecting His peace to a broken world.
Encouragement and Application:
This week, let’s:
Seek God’s peace in our hearts. Spend time in prayer and surrender your anxieties to Him.
Be peacemakers in our relationships. Extend forgiveness and foster reconciliation.
Share the peace of Christ with others. Invite someone to experience the Prince of Peace this Advent season.
Invitation to Faith:
If you have never experienced the peace of Jesus, today is the day. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, invites you to come to Him. As He said in John 14:27: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (NLT)
Will you receive His peace today? Trust in Him as your Saviour and Lord.
